Hemorrhoids - Symptoms, Causes, and How to Treat Them
A person may be diagnosed with hemorrhoids when there is a lump in the anal area. The size of the lump can cause discomfort, a feeling of fullness, pain, and pain during bowel movements. Stool may also be mixed with blood.
Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, can be located inside or outside the lower rectum. But what are the symptoms and causes? How can they be treated?
What Are Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are soft or hard lumps inside or outside the rectum.[1] Generally, hemorrhoids are harmless, and everyone has them. This is normal and natural.
However, hemorrhoids are considered abnormal when the veins in the anal cushions enlarge, causing discomfort, pain, or bleeding.
Hemorrhoids can affect anyone, regardless of gender;[2] or age. However, older adults (over 50 years old) are at a higher risk of developing hemorrhoids. On the other hand, straining too hard due to constipation can also trigger hemorrhoids.[3][4]
Hemorrhoids can be internal (inside the rectum) or external (outside the rectum).
Compared with internal hemorrhoids, external hemorrhoids are generally more troublesome. This is because external hemorrhoids can cause pain, severe itching, and difficulty sitting.
Hemorrhoid Symptoms

The symptoms of each type of hemorrhoid differ.
If you have external hemorrhoids, you may experience the following symptoms.
- Anal itching;
- a lump around the anus;
- pain when sitting, walking, or having a bowel movement; and
- bleeding during bowel movements.[1][5]
External hemorrhoids can also be a blood clot under the skin, also known as thrombosed hemorrhoids.
Internal or prolapsed hemorrhoids generally do not cause discomfort. However, when straining, you may notice blood during bowel movements, with or without pain.
Causes of Hemorrhoids

The main cause is excessive pressure on the veins in the lower rectum, which causes inflammation. However, several factors can increase the risk of developing hemorrhoids.
- Chronic constipation due to a low-fiber diet.
- Straining too hard, such as when trying to pass hard stool, childbirth, chronic coughing or vomiting, and lifting heavy objects.
- Inactivity or sitting for long periods, such as office workers and long-distance bus drivers.
- Excessive pressure in the pelvis due to pregnancy, obesity, or ascites.
- Weak pelvic floor muscles supporting the anal area. This can be caused by aging or pregnancy.
- Certain medical conditions such as rectal prolapse, inflammation or colon cancer, and severe diarrhea.
- Anal intercourse.
- Family medical history.
Hemorrhoid Prevention

Although hemorrhoids cannot always be prevented, you can do several things to reduce your risk.
- First, maintain a healthy diet by eating plenty of fiber to help regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation. High-fiber foods include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Next, stay hydrated by drinking the recommended amount of water. Drinking enough water helps keep stools soft and easy to pass. In addition, reduce your intake of caffeinated beverages such as coffee and tea.
- Being overweight can increase pelvic pressure and worsen hemorrhoids. To help manage this, exercise regularly to improve blood circulation, prevent constipation, and maintain a healthy weight.
- Lifting heavy objects also puts pressure on the pelvis. When lifting heavy objects, ask a colleague to help instead of lifting them yourself.
- If your job involves sitting for long periods, try to move around or stretch every hour.
- On the other hand, people with hemorrhoids should also avoid certain foods, such as spicy foods, high-salt foods, and fried foods.
- Finally, do not hold in or delay bowel movements. Holding in your stool can make it hard and difficult to pass. When having a bowel movement, try not to strain too hard.
How to Treat Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids may be painless or very uncomfortable and cause discomfort, but the condition is not life-threatening and may resolve on its own without treatment if it is in its early stages.
If you experience bleeding, bloody bowel movements, or severe pain, you should consult a doctor and receive appropriate treatment as recommended.
For severe hemorrhoids, you may be recommended to undergo hemorrhoidectomy surgery.
However, if you prefer home treatment, try the following ways to reduce hemorrhoid lumps.
- Prepare a basin filled with warm water. Then, sit in it for about 15–20 minutes a day.[6] This helps improve blood circulation and reduce the size of the lumps. In addition to a basin, you can use a bathtub for a sitz bath.[7]
- In addition to the methods above, a cold compress can also reduce inflammation.
- Keep the anal area clean. To clean it, try using a small, damp, soft cloth instead of dry toilet paper. You can also use fragrance- and alcohol-free wet wipes.
- If your hemorrhoids are not severe and do not require medical treatment such as surgery, use hemorrhoid medication, topical medication, or suppositories, and take supplements such as Sido Muncul Hemoroa, which can help relieve hemorrhoid symptoms and strengthen the veins around the anus.
Remember, when managing hemorrhoids, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment recommendations.
In addition, adopting a healthy lifestyle with a good diet and regular exercise can help prevent hemorrhoids from recurring and support overall health.
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